cabin air filter at 45,000 miles?

It's very easy to check. There's a DIY video here somewhere. I wouldn't let the dealer touch it.

 

What's the pollen count in your area? If it's high then you might want to replace it now. You can also get a replacement filter at Walmart for under $20 and do it yourself. I did that just before my 35k service. Only to get a call from the dealer (stealer?) to tell me the the filter was dirty and needed replacement.

 

For their price, I don't think they should be cleaned at all but replace them every 30k or every 2 years. Afterall, it's our health we're talking about. We wouldn't leave our furnace filter unchanged for 2 years Get the dark color ones with carbon for a fresher smell I bet at 45k your filter would not look clean at all.

 

45K is well past its expected life span. By all means look at it but it should be replaced just on spec. 30K is the most I've gotten out of one but it was WAY past needing it even then. I plan on 15K replacement unless it looks very good. I'd recommend 10K if you have the solar roof system. The cleaner it is, the better your HVAC system will function. I predict it will look pretty fuzzy and BLACK at 45K. Probably critters living in there too.

 

I replace mine ever 10k which I think is a bit over kill, but I wouldn't want to leave it past 20k. It's a cheap part and helps with your comfort.

 

The cabin air filter is easy to inspect and clean. If it's got holes in it, then it's time for a new one. Otherwise, a warm soapy rinse and a thorough drying will have it good as new.

 

The carbon filter version is much tougher and will last much longer. All you need to do is take it out once a month and shake it out.
Some light compressed air helps too.

 

At 30,000 miles, mine was dark grey and had bits of stones and dry leaves compacted in it. I couldn't believe it looked that bad. A $15 replacement (NAPA Gold filter) was what the doctor ordered. The instructions are in your owner's manual, and you'll find a user video in this forum if you search. Took 4 minutes, tops. Your dealer could do it for maybe a hundred dollars, but why let them have all the fun with your money?

 

Careful.

Alot of times detritus found in the cabin filter sometimes means mouse activity which is very common in a Prius especially if car not garaged. And sometimes even in the garage. One poster found dog food in the filter and tracked it back to open dog food bag stored by the car in the garage. Mice were bringing in the food to there new home. The dashboard.

Meece find the wiring in a Prius delicious.